Nigeria’s pioneer of digital banking, Wema Bank Plc, has once again set the stage for a wave of youth empowerment and technological creativity with the Hackaholics 6.0 initiative — a campus ideathon designed to inspire innovation, entrepreneurship, and problem-solving across Nigerian universities.
This year’s edition has been nothing short of transformative, taking the Hackaholics experience to four major cities — Akure, Zaria, Ibadan, and Lagos — where thousands of young minds gathered to compete, collaborate, and create solutions that could redefine the nation’s digital economy.
At each stop — from the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, the University of Ibadan, and Purple Academy, Lagos — students immersed themselves in four intense days of innovation, mentorship, and idea pitching. The atmosphere was electric as energy, intellect, and ambition filled the halls.
With over 3,000 entries submitted, Hackaholics 6.0 showcased the ingenuity of Nigeria’s youth, giving them a platform to tackle real-world challenges through technology. Each location hosted hundreds of participants who attended masterclasses led by industry experts, learned the ropes of entrepreneurship, and refined their prototypes under the guidance of mentors.
The highlight of each city’s event came during the final pitching sessions, where standout teams presented their innovative solutions to panels of judges. In every city, three ideathon winners — including at least one women-led team — earned invitations to the Hackaholics 6.0 Grand Finale, where they’ll compete for funding and support to scale their innovations.
Wema Bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Moruf Oseni, described the initiative as a movement that transcends technology. “Hackaholics has always been about more than coding or apps,” he said. “It is about empowering young people to think differently, innovate courageously, and create solutions that can transform our industries and our nation.”
Oseni emphasized that the bank’s continued investment in Hackaholics stems from a deep belief in the potential of Nigeria’s youth.
“The creativity we’ve seen reinforces why we’re passionate about this platform,” he noted. “These ideas can shape the future of financial services, agriculture, education, and beyond.”
Since its inception in 2019, Hackaholics has evolved into a cornerstone of Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem. The initiative has recorded over 12,000 applicants from 15 tertiary institutions, disbursing more than $300,000 in funding to young innovators and entrepreneurs.
A key focus of the program has been gender inclusion — with women-led teams receiving over ₦75 million in funding between 2023 and 2024 — further cementing Wema Bank’s commitment to diversity and equitable opportunities in the tech space.
Beyond competition, the initiative fosters a thriving community of thinkers and doers.
Participants gain lifelong access to Wema Bank’s innovation ecosystem, which offers mentorship, incubation, funding, and exposure to potential investors and partners.
From fintech solutions that simplify banking to agritech tools that improve food security, many of the ideas born from previous Hackaholics editions have grown into startups making real impact across Nigeria. For many students, the program has become a career-launching platform.
As the Hackaholics 6.0 train continues its nationwide tour, anticipation builds for the Grand Finale, where top innovators will pitch their solutions before investors and industry leaders.
The best projects stand a chance to receive financial backing, mentorship, and access to the bank’s robust network of partners.
For Wema Bank, Hackaholics is more than a corporate social responsibility project — it is a vision for the future.
“We are building an innovation-driven Nigeria,” Oseni reiterated. “Our mission is to empower the next generation of problem solvers who will redefine how we live, work, and connect.”
Students, developers, and aspiring entrepreneurs eager to be part of this innovation wave are encouraged to visit hackaholics.wemabank.com to submit their ideas and join the movement shaping Africa’s digital future.
Three cities down, more to go — but one message rings clear: Wema Bank’s Hackaholics 6.0 is not just a competition. It is a revolution — nurturing the creative fire of young Nigerians and positioning them as the architects of tomorrow’s technology.
